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Astros trade LHP Patrick Schuster to San Diego in exchange for cash

ORLANDO, FL - The Houston Astros completed yesterday's trade with San Diego, trading left-handed pitcher Patrick Schuster, who the Astros selected first overall in today's Rule 5 Draft, to the Padres in exchange for cash considerations. In the Triple A phase, Houston selected outfielder Ravel Santana and left-handed pitcher Carlos Vazquez. In the Double A phase, the Astros selected left-handed pitcher Blaine Sims.

Santana, 21, has played in the Yankees minor league system since 2009 and has hit .265 (198x746) with 36 doubles, 27 homers, 114 RBI, 43 stolen bases and a .365 on-base percentage in 214 total games. In 2012, Santana was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect in the Yankees system with the organization's 'Best Outfield Arm'. He was also rated by the publication as the No. 2 prospect in the Gulf Coast League that year. The outfielder has played for the Rookie Level Dominican Summer League Yankees (2009-10), the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Yankees (2011) and the Class A Short-Season Staten Island Yankees (2012).

Vazquez, 22, has been in the Mets system for five seasons where he has posted a 22-8 record with a 3.20 ERA (103ER/289.1IP) and 255 strikeouts in 112 appearances (26 starts). The left-hander played for Class A Advanced St. Lucie in 2013, going 1-0 with a 2.29 ERA (5ER/19.2IP), while allowing just a .221 opponent's batting average. The Mexico native has also played parts of two seasons in the Mexican League (2011, 2013).

Sims, 24, was originally signed by Atlanta as a non-drafted free agent out of Arkansas Tech University in 2010 and has made 92 total appearances in the Braves system. The knuckleballer pitched in 20 games across three levels (Rookie, Class A, Class A Advanced) in 2013, striking out 56 batters in 53.1 innings.